MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF NEW LONDON
APRIL 20, 2016
This regular meeting of the City Council of the City of New London was held at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at the New London City Hall.
Member Present: Mayor Gossman and Council members Beck, Mack, Bergman and Edwards.
Members Absent: None.
Also Present:Sherry & Dominick Oerter, Aaron Beckman, Duane Elliot, Jerry Johnson, Keith Olson and Trudie Guptill, City Clerk and see list.
The pledge was done.
Mayor Gossman opened the meeting at 5:30 p.m.
Minutes –Motion by Council member Mack, Second by Council member Bergman to approve the April 6, 2016 Minutes as presented.
Voting For:Beck,Gossman, Mack, Bergman and Edwards.
Voting Against: None.
Motion Passed Unanimously.
Fire Department Bills - Motion by Council member Bergman, Second by Council member Mack to approve the Fire Department Bills, in the amount of $201,274.97, as presented.
Voting For:Beck, Gossman, Mack, Bergman and Edwards.
Voting Against: None.
Motion Passed Unanimously.
Ambulance Bills - Motion by Council member Mack, Second by Council member Bergman to approve the Ambulance Bills, in the amount of $12,174.62, as presented.
Voting For:Beck, Gossman, Mack, Bergman and Edwards.
Voting Against: None.
Motion Passed Unanimously.
City Bills - Motion by Council member Beck, Second by Council member Mack to approve the City Bills, in the amount of $114,394.20, as presented.
Voting For:Beck, Gossman, Mack, Bergman and Edwards.
Voting Against: None.
Motion Passed Unanimously.
April 20, 2016 Minutes - Page 2
Clerk’s Report –
- Liquor License Renewals - Trudie asked for approval on the renewals for the liquor licenses as follows: American Legion - On and Off sale, Mill Pond Liquor - Off sale, The Middle Fork Cafe - On sale, Goat Ridge Brewery - Brewers Off-sale and Taproom - On sale, including outside patio and New London Bowl - On-sale & Sunday. Motion by Council member Mack, Second by Council member Beck to approve the renewals as requested.
Voting For:Beck, Gossman, Mack, Bergman and Edwards.
Voting Against: None.
Motion Passed Unanimously.
- Liability Waiver - Trudie reported that the excess liability they inquired about is $1,454 for an additional one million and $2,309 for an additional two million in coverage. Motion by Council member Mack, Second by Council member Bergman to not waive the statutory limits.
Voting For:Beck, Gossman, Mack, Bergman and Edwards.
Voting Against: None.
Motion Passed Unanimously.
- Audit Representation Letter - Trudie presented the representation letter for approval. Motion by Council member Edwards, Second by Council member Beck to authorize the mayor and clerk to sign the letter.
Voting For:Beck, Gossman, Mack, Bergman and Edwards.
Voting Against: None.
Motion Passed Unanimously.
- Website Statistics - The March statistics were looked at noting 8,779page views from 3,794unique IP's for the month.
- LMC Annual Meeting - Trudie stated that she would have to know if anyone else was interested in attending the meeting by April 27th.
- Bernick's Grant - Trudie reminded the council about the photo that will take place in April 25th at 11:00 at Holm Park for the music Trail Grant. Mayor Gossman and Council members Edwards and Mack said that they would go.
- 1st Quarter Financials - Council member Mack stated that the finance committee met prior to the meeting to look over the financials and found them to be in order. Trudie stated that a copy of the financials were provided to all of the members and if they had any questions to give her a call or stop in to discuss.
April 20, 2016 Minutes - Page 3
Mayor Gossman closed the regular meeting and opened the public hearing at 5:35 pm
Public Hearing - Variance - The variance request for the two properties at 303 Quince Street and 721 Westland Lane was for a zero foot side yard setback, so the common wall would be the property line. She also stated that the property at 303 Quince would need a variance on the lot size of about 1,500 feet. She also reported that the Planning and Zoning Committee met and approved the requests 4-0 with two contingencies. They were to make sure there is a one hour fire separation in the units and that a certified survey be done for each of the properties. Lastly, she reported that Jim has verified that both units have the fire separation that was requested. There were some residents present to discuss the variance at the 721 Westland Lane address. They do not want rental units in the development and thought they couldn't put them in because of the neighborhood covenants. Trudie stated that attached duplexes are allowed in the zoning ordinance and she didn't think that those lots are not covered in the covenants, which are not governed by the city. The consensus was that if they were selling them they were fine, although they thought this building was substandard, too small and doesn't fit the neighborhood. They also asked the council to consider changing the ordinance to not allow rentals (duplexes) in an R-1 district. Motion by Council member Mack, Second by Council member Beck to approve all of the variances as recommended by the planning and zoning committee.
Voting For:Beck, Gossman, Mack, Bergman and Edwards.
Voting Against: None.
Motion Passed Unanimously.
Mayor Gossman closed the public hearing and re-opened the regular council meeting.
2015 Audit Report - David Eurele was here to present the 2015 Audit. He first went through the financial analysis showing the revenues and expenses by fund. The first was the general fund and he reported that the revenues have been greater than the expenditures the last four years and expenses have been relatively flat. He also reported that they have a very healthy fund balance of about $788,445. he also showed the revenue by source, noting that the largest part of our revenue is intergovernmental (LGA and other aids). He then reported on the other funds as follows:
Fire Department fund - fund balance has also increased each of the last four years and has a strong fund balance of about $394,184.
Ambulance Fund - fund balance has increased two of the last four years and that the sharp increase in the expenses in 2015 was for the purchase of the new rig.
Water Fund - has generated operating income that last four years and is sufficient to cover debt. He also reported that the fund has a good unrestricted fund balance of about $451,736.
Sewer Fund - has generated operating income three of the last four years and 2015 was sufficient enough to cover debt. The fund balance had a good increase in 2015 to $189,570.
Overall, he stated the city is in a good financial position, other than the debt service being reduced because of the unpaid assessments.
April 20, 2016 Minutes - Page 4
Keith Olson - Keith was here to propose that we consider making Central Avenue East into a one way street to allow more parking along the sides. There was some discussion about MN DOT, signage, and the concern of the other businesses. Trudie was told to look into it further.
Aaron Backman - He was present to introduce himself as the new Economic Development Director for the City of Willmar and Kandiyohi County EDC. He stated that they are presently working on broadband and that they will have some telephone survey's happening soon about county service in the rural and non-city areas of the county. He also stated that he would like to see New London develop a business park, so he has another place to offer businesses to go, other than Willmar. He then went through the recent County housing study and talked about rental needs and other housing highlights for New London. Lastly, he discussed the business programs they have to offer new businesses, which are a Revolving Loan Fund to borrow $5,000 - $50,000 at 5%, a Loan Guarantee Program that works with local lenders and a Student Business Loan (CEO Program) offering students a maximum loan of $599.
Architects proposals - Trudie referred to the two proposals for pre-design and basic schematic designs for the city hall/library project. She said that Engan Associates proposal was $7,000 and Cities Edge was $3,500. Motion by Council member Mack, Second by Council member Edwards to approve the proposal from Cities Edge Architects, in the amount of $3,500.
Voting For:Beck, Gossman, Mack, Bergman and Edwards.
Voting Against: None.
Motion Passed Unanimously.
Clerk's Report (continued) -
- Sheriff's Report - The March report was looked at noting no questions.
- Bike Racks - Trudie referred to a map of the city to discuss the placement of bike racks. Trudie pointedout that the two we have a eight stall and are presently located by the Lake Region Bank and the Little Theatre. There were six other locations to consider for bike racks. Motion by Council member Edwards, Second by Council member Mack to approve ordering six 4 stall bike racks to be placed at the locations noted.
Voting For:Beck, Gossman, Mack, Bergman and Edwards.
Voting Against: None.
Motion Passed Unanimously.
- City Wide Clean up Day - Trudie told the council that the CIA has scheduled the city wide clean up for Sunday May 15th from noon - 3:00 p.m. with a pizza potluck to follow at Holm Park. A rain date is scheduled for May 22nd, if necessary.
April 20, 2016 Minutes - Page 5
Clerk's Report (continued) -
- Adopt-a-Strom-Drain (AASD) - Trudie reported that the MFCRWD, as a part of the Smithsonian water exhibit, has implemented a adopt a storm drain program that allows users (residents) to adopt the drain and keep it free from leaves and other debris that would normally go down the drains to the river. She encouraged all council members to adopt a drain in their neighborhoods, as the city staff adopted the drain by city hall. It is on the city website.
- April/May Tourism Calendars - Trudie distributed the calendars for informational purposes.
- Piazza - Trudie reported that Kristen has filled the hole in the middle of the mill stone with pea rock until something more permanent is done. Mayor Gossman asked about them sealing the mill stone. Trudie stated that the city could do it when they seal the sidewalks on Main Street in the fall.
- 2016 Street Projects - Trudie told the council that she was approached by the Middle Fork Water Shed District that would like to put tree trenches along 1st Avenue SE where the new grass was going to be along the new sidewalk. they were told that they have grant money available for the design, purchase and installation and that the garden club was interested in being the sponsor of the project. The council was all for it and told Trudie to add it to the project.
- Water Days liquor license - They were applying for a three day temporary permit covering Holm park, Neer park and the street dance area on Central Avenue East. Motion by Council member Beck, Second by Council member Mack to approve the permits as requested.
Voting For: Beck, Gossman, Mack, Bergman and Edwards.
Voting Against: None.
Motion Passed Unanimously.
- Pioneerland Library system - Trudie explained to the council that she met with librarian, Ria Newhouse regarding some funding for computers. She stated that they will need to replace two patron and one staff computer along with 1/4 of the cost for a laptop. Ria is able to use the remaining funds for the replacement this year, but will need replacement in another four years. Trudie suggested that we set up a separate library fund to put money into each year, to help defray these costs and any other equipment costs that may arise. She also reminded them that the city will be responsible for replacing all of the shelving and furnishings when/if a new building is built. Motion by Council member Beck, Second by Council member Mack to approve putting $2,000 per year in the fund.
Voting For: Beck, Gossman, Mack, Bergman and Edwards.
Voting Against: None.
Motion Passed Unanimously.
- Junk Cars - Trudie informed the council that junk car letters went out, just in case they got any phone calls.
April 20, 2016 Minutes - Page 6
Clerk's Report (continued) -
- Food Truck Ordinance - Trudie asked the council if they wanted her to come up with a preliminary draft of an ordinance to cover food trucks. She told them that if we do not have any ordinances regulating them, they can park anywhere public for any length of time. They were interested in pursuing this.
Council Issues -
Council member Beck told Trudie to get some more fill or millings in the patch area on Main and Co Rd 40.
Council member Bergman asked Trudie to send out the small cities seminar before the next meeting and put it on the agenda.
Adjournment – Mayor Gossman adjourned the meeting.
Respectfully Submitted:
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Trudie Guptill, ClerkAttest:
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Bill Gossman, Mayor